Needs and Aspirations of Kadjebi District Assembly

CHAPTER TWO

COMMUNITY NEEDS AND ASPIRATIONS

The Assembly in its quest to ensure that development planning is done in a participatory manner with the people of the District undertook a series of public hearings at the six Area Town/Area council levels of Kadjebi, Asato, Dodi, Dodo, Ahamansu and Amanta. The essence of the public hearings was to solicit for the views, needs and aspirations of the people and use them as the basis for the plan preparation and also to ensure community ownership of the plan.

Table 34 below presents the summary of the aspirations and needs of the people from the public hearing

Table 34: Summary of Community Needs and Aspirations

SECTOR

DEVELOPMENT ISSUES/CONCERNS

NEEDS AND ASPIRATIONS FROM TOWN/AREA COUNCILS

EDUCATION

· Falling standard of education at basic school level.

· Poor quality and condition of educational infrastructure and logistics

· Indiscipline in schools

· Inadequate ICT facilities and libraries

· Non-functioning school management committees

· Lack of accommodation for teachers

· Inadequate sanitation facilities in schools

· Creation of an enabling environment for teaching and learning (rehabilitation/construction of classrooms with electricity, recreational facilities, furniture etc.).

· Provision of toilets, water, urinal and waste disposal site for all basic schools

· Provision of teachers’ accommodation

· Intensification of school supervisions

· Improvement in the parent-teacher relationship

· Strengthening of School management committees

· Provision of ICT and library facilities

· Preventing school children from watching kumkumbagier

WATER

· Inadequate water supply systems

· Non-functioning state of community water systems like boreholes

· Unsafe water for drinking

· Weak and ineffective WATSAN committees

· Expansion of urban /rural water supply with maximum reliability

· Institutionalize periodic water quality test

· Undertake rehabilitation of water facilities

· Institutionalize periodic monitoring and evaluation of water systems

· Water quality measures would be put in place

· Regular Capacity building and training for WATSAN

· Regular M&E of WATSAN operations

ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE AND SANITATION

· Inadequate waste management facilities

· Inadequate solid and liquid waste management systems

· Non enforcement of sanitation and environmental by-laws

· Inadequate latrines in communities and institutions

· Inadequate environmental health staff

· Provision of institutional public toilets

· Supply of refuse containers in communities and other sanitation equipment and tools

· Undertake public education on environment hygiene and sanitation

· Enforcement of By-Laws on the environment and sanitation

· Promote the construction of household latrines(CLTS)

· Promote the construction of hand washing with soap facilities and safe water storage facilities

· Inadequate extension of electricity to newly developing areas due to high cost of extension

· Inadequate promotion and development of other energy sources such as solar

· Mal-functional street light

· Extension of electricity to newly developed residential areas.

· Extension of electricity to schools

· Maintenance of street light

AGRICULTURE

· High cost of agricultural inputs and technology

· Declining interest in farming due to low returns

· Low income of farmers

· Small land holding impeding investment

· Lack of reliable market

· Lack of irrigation facilities

· Lack of farming implements and machinery

· Inadequate access to extension services

· Lack of storage facilities

· Lack of processing facilities

· Mechanization of agricultural activities

· Reduction on the cost of borrowing from financial institutions

· Construction and expansion of farm truck to link major roads

· Provision of irrigation facilities and tube wells

· Creation of land banks for large scale farming and other investment

· Provision of extension officers

· Provision of planting materials and other agricultural materials to farmers

· Encouragement of value chain systems

· Provision of storage facilities

· Provision of agro based processing factories

GOVERNANCE

· Limited support for women, PWDs and other vulnerable groups

· Low access to information on Assembly’s activities

· Non-functioning state of sub district structures

· Low level of M&E by the people at the grassroots

· Non- functioning state of Unit Committees

· Low IGF capacity of the Assembly

· Lack of modern office for the Assembly and Area councils

· Increased transparency in resource utilization

· Strengthen capacity of Assembly members and Area councils to provide local leadership.

· Assembly should institute public engagement processes like town hall meetings, radio programmes etc

· Increased interaction of District Assembly and sub-structures

· Increased participation of communities decision making activities

· Institute measures to increase the IGF capacity of the Assembly

· Provision of adequate office structures for Area councils

· Rehabilitate residential accommodations

PHYSICAL PLANNING

· Lack of adherence to building and development regulations

· Lack of enforcement of laws in relation to physical developments

· Non completion of the street naming system

· Enforcement of building and development regulations

· Continue the street naming and property addressing system

· Expand permit acquisition system to cover the whole District

ENVIRONMENT/ NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

· Incidence of natural disasters

· Over exploitation of natural resources

· Incidence of Bush fires

· Pollution of water bodies

· Environmental and water pollution

· Degradation of ecosystem

· Poor state of Kadjebi cemetery

· Enforcement of By-Laws on the environment and natural resources

· Undertake tree planting activities

· Develop and Institute formal management of Kadjebi cemetery

HARMONISATION OF COMMUNITY NEEDS AND ASPIRATIONS WITH IDENTIFIED KEY DEVELOPMENT GAPS/PROBLEMS/ISSUES

The community needs and aspirations identified above have been harmonized with the summarized key development issues from the performance review and profile of the District. Each community needs and aspirations were matched against the summarized key development issues and scored to determine the level of harmony between them. The scoring was done based on the following:

Figure 14: Scoring scale

Definition

Score

Strong relationship

2

Weak relationship

1

No relationship

0

Harmonization of the community needs and aspirations as against the summarized key development issue from the performance review and profile of the Municipality is presented in the table below:

S/

NO

Community needs and aspirations

Identified key development gaps/

problems/issues (from Performance and Profile)

SCORE

1

Falling standard of education at basic school level

Falling standards of education in the District

2

2

Poor quality and condition of educational infrastructure

Inadequate and inequitable access to educational facilities

2

3

Inadequate ICT facilities and libraries

Inadequate ICT infrastructure base

Poor quality of ICT services

2

4

Lack of adherence to building and development regulations

Weak enforcement of planning and building regulations

2

5

Incident of Bush fires and other disasters

Vulnerability to natural disasters

2

6

Inadequate water supply

Inadequate access to water services

2

7

Non-functioning state of community water systems like boreholes

Poor and inadequate rural infrastructure and services

1

8

Inadequate waste management facilities

Inadequate access to environmental sanitation facilities

2

9

Inadequate solid and liquid waste management systems

Poor disposal of waste

2

10

Non enforcement of sanitation by-laws

Weak enforcement of existing sanitation laws

2

11

Degradation of ecosystem

Weak enforcement of regulations and laws governing the environment and for the management of natural resources

1

12

Environmental and water pollution

Use of outdated farming methods

2

13

Poor condition of health infrastructure and facilities

Inadequate health care service delivery

Poor health infrastructure

2

14

Spread of diseases like malaria, HIV & AIDS etc

High prevalence rate of diseases like malaria, HIV & AIDS etc

2

15

Poor road network and conditions especially in the rainy seasons

Poor quality and inadequate road transport networks

2

16

Limited jobs opportunities for the youth

High levels of unemployment and under-employment especially among the youth

2

17

Low levels of Technical/vocational training for the youth

Low levels of Technical/vocational skills

2

18

Lack of investment in tourism

Inadequate investment in the tourism sector

2

19

Inadequate exploitation of tourism potentials

Limited exploitation of potentials in the tourism sector

2

20

Limited access to credit facilities for investment purpose

Limited access to finance

2

21

Lack of electricity in new development areas due to high cost of extension

Unreliable power supply

2

22

Declining crop yield due to high cost of agricultural inputs and technology

Low application of technology especially among farmers

2

23

Declining interest in farming due to low returns

Low level of agricultural mechanization and production

1

24

Inadequate extension services

Limited access to extension services

2

25

Small land holding impeding investment

Inadequate spatial and land use plans

2

26

Lack of reliable market

Lack of adequate market information

2

27

Low levels of M&E by the people at the grass roots

Gaps in communication and accountability between MMDAs and citizens

2

28

Non- functioning state of ZCs and Unit Committees

Weak sub-district structures

2

29

Increasing spate of crime among the youth such as illicit drug use, armed robbery etc.

High incidence of violation of children’s rights

1

30

Weak revenue base of ZCs

Leakages in revenue collection

1

31

Limited access to information on Assembly’s activities

Inadequate access to public information by media, civil society and general public

2

32

Child trafficking, child abuse and child labor

High incidence of child trafficking and child labor

2

33

Limited support for women, PWDs and other vulnerable groups

Inadequate support for Persons With Disability (PWDs)

Inadequate social protection and intervention and weak coordination of programmes for the vulnerable and excluded

2

Average Score =65/33 1.9

Table 35: Harmonization of community needs and aspirations as against the summarized key development issue

The average score of 1.9 is very high, and therefore an indication that there is strong harmony of community needs and aspirations and key development issue and which has implication for 2018 – 2021 MTDP.

KEY DEVELOPMENT ISSUES UNDER GSGDA II WITH IMPLICATIONS FOR 2018-2021

The harmonised key development issues with implications for 2018-2021 are presented in a matrix under GSGDA II as indicated in table 35 below

Table 35: Key Development Issues under GSGDA II with implications for 2018-2021

Inadequate institutional capacity and infrastructure for statistics production at all levels

Underutilization of M&E in the planning process

HARMONISATION OF KEY DEVELOPMENT ISSUES UNDER GSGDA II WITH IMPLICATION FOR 2018-2021 WITH THOSE OF THE NATIONAL MEDIUM-TERM DEVELOPMENT POLICY FRAMEWORK (NMTDPF, 2018–2021)

In order to ensure continuity of relevant on-going programmes and in accordance with Chapter 6, Article 35 (7) of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana, the issues associated with programmes and projects commenced under GSGDA II, 2014-2017 with those issues of the NMTDPF 2018-2021 have been harmonized as indicated in table 36 below:

The adopted issues were subjected to the analysis of the Potentials, Opportunities, Constraints and Challenges (POCC) of the Municipality. This has facilitated the identification of issues with potentials and opportunities to be addressed as priorities while considering other measures to address those with constraints and challenges.

Potentials of a District refer to factors; advantages and resources (within the District) which when utilised can enable the District to enhance its sustained socio-economic development or to overcome its challenges.

Opportunities are external factors (beyond the District) that positively influence development of the District.

Constraints are disadvantages emanating from internal factors such as institutional, human and physical resources that act against development.

Challenges may be external factors or obstacles (beyond the District) that may hamper smooth development effort.

Adopted Issue to be addressed

Potentials

(from Baseline situation etc)

Opportunities

Constraints

Challenges

Revenue under-performance due to leakages and loopholes, among

Existence of Town/Area councils

Availability of strong youth

Existence of revenue unit

Comprehensive revenue data

Patronage of local market by neighbouring Togo nationals

Availability of DACF and DDF and other Donor funds

Inadequate logistics for revenue operations

Lack of interest among the youth for tax collection

Area councils not having staffs for revenue exercise

Delays in the release of DACF and DDF

The Assembly should expand the revenue generation coverage via public education on the need to pay taxes, supervision of collections and provision of logistics e.g vehicles

Adopted Issue to be addressed

Potentials

(from Baseline situation etc)

Opportunities

Constraints

Challenges

Narrow tax base

Existence of potential tax sources

Availability of strong youth

Existence of Town/Area councils

Patronage of local market by neighbouring Togo nationals

Fourable tax regimes

Inadequate public knowledge on tax obligation

Weak local economy

The Assembly need to give much attention to the development of local economy to expand it tax base

Adopted Issue to be addressed

Potentials

(from Baseline situation etc)

Opportunities

Constraints

Challenges

High number of untrained teachers at the basic level

1. Teachers enrol on distance courses

2. In-service trainings

1.Self-sponsorship training

2..NGO’s Initiative

3. Existence of training institution

1. Lack of funds

2. Using contact hours for courses and studies

1. Lack of mastery under content delivery

2. Inadequate NGO’s Initiative

Conclusion: the issue of untrained teachers at the basic level is under control because the potentials and opportunities can mitigate the constrains and challenges with commitment.

Adopted Issue to be addressed

Potentials

(from Baseline situation etc)

Opportunities

Constraints

Challenges

Poor Quality of teaching and learning and assessment skills at the basic level.

1.In Service training

2. Award scheme

1. Resources from Development partners

2. Capitation Grants

1.Inadequate funds

1. Poor academic records

2. Funds for proper supervision

Conclusion: the District has great potentials and opportunities to over come Poor Quality of teaching and learning and assessment skills at the basic level. Funds and attitudes are the only two obstacles.

Adopted Issue to be addressed

Potentials

(from Baseline situation etc)

Opportunities

Constraints

Challenges

Inadequate use of teacher-learner contact time in schools

1. Disciplinary committees

2. Inference training

1. Resources from development partners

2. Legal regimes in place.

1. Weak disciplinary measures

2. High level of untrained teachers

1. Poor attitudes to work

2. Pupil absenteeism during market days

3. Weak application of Legal regimes in place

Conclusion: Controls measure must be strengthen to mitigate the problem of Inadequate use of teacher-learner contact time in schools

Adopted Issue to be addressed

Potentials

(from Baseline situation etc)

Opportunities

Constraints

Challenges

Low levels of teacher commitment

1. Award scheme

2. Inference training

3. In Service training

1. Resources from development partners

3. Resources from GOG

1. Irregular Award scheme

2. Irregular Inference training

1. Poor attitudes to work

2. Weak application of Legal regimes in place

Conclusion: Beside other measures, Low levels of teacher commitment can be resolve by improve working conditions with respect to salaries, logistics and good pension package

Adopted Issue to be addressed

Potentials

(from Baseline situation etc)

Opportunities

Constraints

Challenges

Huge gaps in geographical access to quality health care

Ongoing Construction of CHPS compounds in the District

Improved Road Network in the District.

Support from Donor Funds for Health facility Construction.

Private Sector Participation in the Health Care Delivery.

Irregular Flow of Funds.

Competing Health Needs in the District.

Lack of harmonized plans between Donor and DA.

Diminishing Donor Support

Conclusion: With the opportunities and potentials in place, little effort from Central Government and Donor Support can help improve access to quality Health Care.

Inadequate coverage of reproductive health and family planning services

Existence of Health Facilities in the District.

Health Promotional Activities in the District on Family Planning.

Central Government Support on Family planning activities.

Donor support on family planning activities.

Inadequate logistics in existing facilities.

Huge gaps in geographical access to quality health care

Poor patronage by citizens.

Conclusion: Family planning activities is steadily progressing .

Adopted Issue to be addressed

Potentials

(from Baseline situation etc)

Opportunities

Constraints

Challenges

Inadequate Infrastructure such as roads, etc.

Availability of earth moving equipment

Existence of Works Dep’t

Existence of Urban Roads Dep’t at the Regional and national level

Existence of Road Fund

Low level of IGF

Most of the earth moving equipment have broken down

Delay in the release of Central Government Funds

Conclusion: The constraints can be addressed by the Assembly’s ability to repair its earth moving equipment and expansion of cocoa road coverage

Adopted Issue to be addressed

Potentials

(from Baseline situation etc)

Opportunities

Constraints

Challenges

Inadequate market information

Availability of BAC/ NBSSI office and Department of Agriculture

Existence of GIPC at the national level

Lack of organization of local trade fairs

Lack of dialogue sections between persons in the value chain

Inadequate participation in trade fairs

Conclusion: The Assembly should facilitate creation of Local economic development plat forms in the District

Adopted Issue to be addressed

Potentials

(from Baseline situation etc)

Opportunities

Constraints

Challenges

Limited access to finance

Availability of banks

Existence of MASLOC

Planting for food and jobs programme of Government

Lack of business plans

Lack of structures in business formation

High interest rates

Conclusion: The Assembly should train SMEs to prepare business plans and put in place structures in establishing businesses

Adopted Issue to be addressed

Potentials

(from Baseline situation etc)

Opportunities

Constraints

Challenges

Limited technical and entrepreneurial skills

Availability of trainers

Additional resources from NBSSI, Trade Ministry and donor partners

Availability of training institutions

Inadequate funds and logistics

Untimely release of support from Government and donors

Conclusion: The Assembly should embark on campaign to raise interest in technical and entrepreneurial skills acquisition

Adopted Issue to be addressed

Potentials

(from Baseline situation etc)

Opportunities

Constraints

Challenges

Inadequate access to veterinary services

Existence of veterinary unit

Availability of donor support

Inadequate funds and logistics

Inadequate veterinary staff

Untimely release of central government funds

Conclusion: The constraints can be addressed by central government posting enough staff to man the unit

Adopted Issue to be addressed

Potentials

(from Baseline situation etc)

Opportunities

Constraints

Challenges

Low productivity

Availability of large arable lands

Availability of farm labour

Existence of rivers for irrigation

Availability of extension services

Favourable government agriculture policies such as planting for food and jobs

Additional donor support for agriculture. E.g Actionaid and world vision etc.

1. Reliance on traditional technology in production

2.Low investment in livestock sector

3. Persistent annual bush fires

4. Low interest of youth in agriculture

5. Unfavorable land tenure system

1. Impacts of climate change

2. High cost of inputs and access to credit

3. Lack of investment in the provision of irrigation facilities

4. Declining soil fertility

Conclusion: The constraints can be addressed by the Assembly taking the initiative to dialogue with stakeholders while the challenges can be addressed by the Assembly enforcing by-laws in the management of the environment

Adopted Issue to be addressed

Potentials

(from Baseline situation etc)

Opportunities

Constraints

Challenges

Inadequate investment in the tourism sector

1.Potential tourism sites available

2. Private sector interest in tourism is high

1. The ministry of Tourism exists to provide technical support

2. Training institutions exist

Lack of tourism development plan

Inadequate data on tourism potentials

Lack of administrative will

Lack of funds

Conclusion: The Assembly should develop a tourism development plan and partner the private sector in the development of the sector

HIV and AIDS in terms of the target groups in the sector for targeted interventions e.g. elimination of stigmatisation;

Gender equality with respect to practical and strategic needs and interests;

Nutrition.

Details of the impact analysis are presented in the table 39 below:

Table 39: Impact Analysis

ADOPTED ISSUES TO BE ADDRESSED

IMPACT ANALYSIS

Revenue underperformance due to leakages and loopholes, among others

Addressing this issue would lead to significant increases in the revenue of the Assembly which will lead to socio-economic development of the District as a result of provision of public goods and services

Inadequate Infrastructure such as roads, etc.

Addressing this issue would impact the economy in the creation of jobs, attraction of investments which ultimately leads to socio-economic development of the District

These issues when addressed would also lead to increases in agriculture productivity, food security and nutrition safety as well adapting to the impacts of climate change.

Low adoption of Technology

Limited multiplication and production of planting materials and certification of seeds

Limited access to extension services

Increasing negative impact of climate change on agriculture

Undeveloped capacity of FBOs to access or deliver services

These issues when addressed would also lead to increases in agriculture productivity, food security nutrition safety, job creation, incomes and economic growth

Limited capacity of exporters to meet export volumes and standards

Low productivity and poor handling of livestock

Inadequate job creation

Addressing this issue would ensure discipline among the youth , job creation, incomes and economic growth.

High unemployment rate amongst the youth

Uneven attention to the development needs at different levels of education

Addressing these issues would lead to a highly literacy and productive society, reduction of gender discrimination and sustainable development

Low levels of Technical/vocational skills

Poor quality of teaching and learning and assessment skills at the basic level

Huge gaps in geographical access to quality health care

Addressing these issues would lead to a highly healthy and productive society with significant reduction in maternal and infant mortality, effective family planning issues, ensuring reduction of stigma for persons living with HIV etc.

Unmet need for mental health services

Lack of comprehensive knowledge of HIV and AIDS/STIs, especially among the vulnerable groups

Inadequate nutrition training and advocacy on Food and Nutrition Security at all levels

Inadequacy of social protection programmes to cover all the vulnerable groups

Addressing these issues would lead to protection of the rights of venerable persons and also offer them opportunities to contribute their quota to national development

Inadequate opportunities for persons with disabilities(PWDs) to contribute to society

High incidence of violation of Children’s rights

Low recognition of gender equity in all spheres

Low patronage of cultural goods and services

This would ensure appreciation and acceptability of our cultural values

Poor sanitation and waste management

Addressing these issues would lead to a cleaner societies and sustainability of water supply and ultimately a healthy and cleaner societies

Poor and low-income earners have little access to potable water services

Addressing this issue would ensure effective popular participation and local governance at the grass root level

Low transparency and accountability of public officials

Addressing this issue would ensure accountability and transparency of public officials to the people and good governance

Weak coordination of the development planning system

This would ensure codification of development efforts which will lead harmonization and avoidance of waste

Weak financial base and management capacity of the District Assemblies

Addressing this issue would lead to significant increases in the revenue of the Assembly which will lead to socio-economic development of the Municipality as a result of provision of public goods and services

The prioritised issues with positive significant impacts should be subjected to strategic environmental analysis. This involves assessing the internal consistency/compatibility of the prioritised issues to determine how they relate to or support each other to achieve the objectives of the DMTDP. Where the relationship is positive, it draws attention to the fact that the issues should be addressed holistically. On the other hand, where the relationship is negative, there is a need to reconsider the issues adopted. (For detailed application of the internal consistency/compatibility analysis, see Annex 6).

The conduct of the sustainability analysis should lead to sustainable prioritised issues, which should be presented as shown in table 40 below: